Supporting device for automotive portable electronic instruments

ABSTRACT

A supporting device for automotive portable electronic instruments is formed of a bendable elongated rod with both ends connected to a bracket and a base, respectively. The elongated rod includes plural wheel-like connectors rotatable in vertical and axial directions and plural tubular connecting rods arranged between adjacent connectors. Each connector has two wheel-like casings facing and engaging with each other, and the edge of the connecting surface of each casing is correspondingly provided with waved serrations, such that two wheels can be rotatably engaged with each other and positioned by the serrations. Further, a disc-like knob is connected between the elongated rod and the bracket. The bracket is able to rotate around the knob as the center of rotation. A fixing screw is used to force and fix the position of the bracket. Finally, the base is a bent plate provided with plural screw holes, and both ends of the base are connected to the car body and the elongated rod, respectively, thereby to fix the supporting device in the car.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a supporting device, and in particular to a supporting device capable of for being fixed on the bottom of an in-car space and the angle thereof is adjustable.

2. Description of Prior Art

With the development of semiconductor and battery technologies, electronic products are tending to be more and more compact. Further, with the increasing popularization of automotive video, navigation and GPS, portable products such as notebook, pocket PC, color monitor, DVD player or mobile phone are also more and more popular. Thus, many users (e.g. salesman) can even do their business in a car when they leave the office and on the way to visit a client, causing the car to become a mobile office. As a result, there is a tendency to use other electronic products when driving. Normally, when using in a car, the electronic product is temporarily put on the front passenger's seat beside the driver's seat. People often put the mobile phone or notebook on the front passenger's seat and use these electronic instruments to do their business when driving, such as discussing a project with the client.

Many people who cannot stay in the office and need to go outside often use electronic instruments (such as computer) in the car. For example, a deliveryman of a freight company uses an on-line computer to communicate with the host in his company, thereby to facilitate the register procedure of the article to be delivered. Moreover, by combining the automotive computer and wireless Internet with the Smart Transportation System, drivers can inquire the information about traffic or determine a route, thereby to avoid wasting time to find a way or being caught in a traffic jam.

However, if someone needs to drive the car and uses the computer on the front passenger's seat at the same time, such action will cause the driver to distract from driving, and even an accident may be happened. In the case that the car is not running, since the front passenger's seat is not a real desk or bracket, it cannot properly provide the above functions. As a result, the user has to submit himself to the construction of the front passenger's seat and thus will feels uncomfortable. Therefore, it is necessary to provide an improved bracket for automotive electronic products as far as the safety and the convenience are concerned.

A conventional bracket for automotive electronic instruments is provided with an elongated rod, and the bottom thereof is locked to the bottom of the in-car space in a semi-fixed or permanently fixed manner. In general, a running car produces great vibration. As a result, if a computer or a DVD player is placed in the running car, it is necessary to provide a sufficiently rigid structure for supporting and positioning the above instrument. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,307, a supporting structure in form of a swan-neck flexible rod is disclosed. Such a structure may be able to support a lighter device (e.g. cellar phone), but cannot provide a sufficient force to support a heavier device (e.g. laptop). Therefore, when the car is running, the electronic device being supported by the above structure may be liable to shake or even fall off.

For the user's convenience, the above supporting device can be bent or can be an elongated rod whose length is adjustable, thereby to connect to a bracket to support the electronic instrument. Therefore, when in use, the user can arbitrarily adjust the bending angle of the elongated rod to locate the electronic instrument at the optimal position for operating, such as dialing, watching a screen or operating a keyboard. In the structure of bendable joints, there are two issues that should be concerned. That is, whether the stability is sufficient or not such that a heavier electronic instrument can be supported without shaking under vibration. On the other hand, whether the movability is enough or not such that the joint structure can be easily adjusted by the user. In other words, the joint structure should be laborsaving and timesaving and can be easily adjusted.

In general, the greater the rigidity of the joint structure is, the worse the ability for bending is. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a user can lock each joint by tightening the screws. However, when the user intends to adjust the length of the rod, he/she needs to loosen all the screws. Also, after the rod has been adjusted to the desired shape, the user has to tighten all the screws one by one. Such a procedure is troublesome and thus the movability is low. That is to say, when the joint screws are tightened so well that those joints are firmly positioned without any shaking, causing better stability. However, such a structure will inevitably increase the difficulty in loosening the screws in the future.

When the conventional supporting device for automotive electronic instruments are to be mounted to a certain place in the car, it is necessary to additionally drill holes in the car body. If the supporting device is moved and used in another car, the user has to consider that if that car is provided with such holes. Further, those holes cause unrecoverable breaks to the car and thus reduce the aesthetic appearance of the car.

In another conventional bracket for electronic instruments, as shown in FIG. 2, the bottom of the bracket is provided with a universal joint and a knob, such that the electronic instruments can be put thereon. The universal joint has a ball and a valve seat. Although the universal joint can allow the angle of the electronic instrument on an upper plane to be arbitrarily adjusted, the supporting force of the ball is not strong enough, such that the ball is liable to loosen and slide after the long-term shake of gravity. Especially, when a heavier instrument (such as notebook) is used, it is necessary to provide sufficient strength to support the weight of the instrument, such that the supporting device will not deform when the car is running. However, the strength in the structure formed by the ball and valve seat is weak, and thus liable to get loosened. As a result, the electronic instrument mounted thereon deflects from its original optimal angle for use. Thus, the above structure is evidently not a good measure.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,252, a supporting device having a heavier base is disclosed. Although the disassembling procedure is simple and the supporting structure can be mounted in various cars without drilling holes in the car. However, the base thereof is bulky and occupies a large space in the car. In order to solve the above problems, preferably, it is not necessary to drill holes in the car, but use a device inherent in the car to directly fix the supporting device. As shown in FIG. 3, an element available in the market is provided with a base. The base is formed of a bent plate made by a hard material. One end of the base is provided with a slot-like through hole, and the other end is provided with two screw holes. The base and a sliding rail under the seat can be connected with a common screw, such that the common screw penetrates the slot-like through hole. Further, the two screw holes are aligned with the distal end of the elongated rod, such that the supporting device can be fixed to the seat in the car by two fixing screws. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the base has only two screw holes for fixing, such that the elongated rod can be fixed in one position only. When the elongated rod interferes with the other devices in the car, such interference will cause the difficulty in assembling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Recently, with the development in computer and wireless Internet, a salesman or someone who needs to do his business outside the office can upgrade his car to become a small mobile office. In view of this, present invention is to provide a supporting device for automotive electronic instruments, and especially for such a mobile office. The supporting device of the present invention has a bendable structure, such that the user can adjust the angle and position of the electronic instrument according to his desire to obtain a most comfortable state.

Another, the present invention is to provide a supporting device for positioning electronic instruments in a running car, even in a vibrating environment. The supporting device of the present invention is especially suitable for heavier electronic instruments, such as a portable computer or compact DVD player. The supporting device of the present invention has a rigid elongated rod, which is not liable to deform when being subjected to a force. Further, in the present invention, the bending positions are formed of two facing circular wheels. One of the circular wheels is provided with waved serrations on a surface corresponding to the other, such that both circular wheels can be engaged with each other at certain positions by the serrations. With such arrangement, the circular wheels will not slide or deform owing to the shake of the running car.

Further, the present invention is to provide a supporting device, such that the driver can safely use the electronic instrument in the car. Since the electronic instrument is placed on the supporting device near the driving seat, the driver can easily operate the electronic instrument (such as use a keyboard or dial) without greatly swinging his body. Therefore, the drive can still pay attention to the road condition to reduce the possibility of distraction occurred in conventional art in which the electronic instrument is placed on the front passenger's seat.

Still further, the present invention is to provide a supporting device with high compatibility and is suitable for automotive electronic articles. Since the present invention is locked to a device inherent in the car whose base is a bent plate formed of a slot-like through hole and plural screw holes, the present invention and a sliding rail under the seat can be connected with a common screw, such that the common screw penetrates the slot-like through hole for fixing the present invention. Further, at least three screw holes are provided, such that the user can arbitrarily choose two screw holes to lock to the screw holes of the distal end of the elongated rod. Therefore, the orientation and position of the elongated rod can be varied, such that the user can choose optimal two screw holes to fix the present invention according to the ornaments in the car.

Therefore, one preferred embodiment of the present invention is a supporting device for placing portable electronic instruments in a car, especially suitable for a notebook. The present invention is provided with a bendable elongated rod. Both ends of the rod are connected to a bracket or a base, respectively. The elongated rod comprises plural wheel-like connectors and plural tubular connecting rods each arranged between adjacent connectors. The connector has two wheel-like casings that are able to rotate in vertical and axial directions and engage with each other at a surface. The edge of the connecting side of the wheel-like connector is correspondingly provided with waved serrations for engaging, such that the two wheel-like casings can change the relative position in engagement to adjust the relative angle of the connecting rod. Thereafter, the serrations on both casings engage with other again to fix the whole shape of the connecting rod.

Further, a disc-like knob is connected between the elongated rod and the bracket. The thinner end is inserted into the bottom of the bracket, and a screw is used to fix the angle of the bracket. Also, the fixing screw can be loosened to let the bracket to rotate on a horizontal plane. Finally, the base is a bent plate provided with plural screw holes. On end of the base is fixed to the bottom of the seat in the car. The other end is screwed on the end of the elongated rod, such that the elongated rod can be arranged in the car.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention. The present invention comprises a bendable elongated rod 20, and both ends thereof are connected to a bracket 30 and a base 10, respectively. The elongated rod 20 comprises three connector 23 and two tubular connecting rods 25 each arranged between adjacent connectors. As seen from a first connecting rod 25A, both ends are connected to a first connector 23A and a second connector 23B. Then, the second connector 23B is connected to a second connecting rod 25B. The other end of the second connecting rod 25B is connected to a third connector 23C. Since those connectors 23 are constructed to vary their relative angles, those connectors 23 and connecting rods 25 are totally connected to form the bendable elongated rod 20.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention. With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the distal end of the elongated rod is provided with a disc-like first assembly 27A formed of a tube centrally projecting from a circular plate. The circular plate has two through holes and the base 10 also has plural screw holes 11. Thus, two screws can be used to penetrate the through holes and the screw holes 11 to screw the base 10 and the elongated rod 20. Similarly, the front end of the elongated rod 20 is provided with a second assembly 27B screwed to a knob 31. Then, the knob is connected to a tray 37. The bracket 30 is formed of the rectangular tray 37 recessed in the center. The bottom of the tray is connected to a rotating pillar 35. Four corners in the recessed surface of the tray 37 are each formed with a through hole. Another surface of the tray is connected to the knob 31 and then to the elongated rod 20 by a fixing screw 33.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention seen from another viewpoint. With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the front end of the elongated rod is provided with the second assembly 27B similar to the first assembly 27A in shape. Further, the surface on the thicker end of the disc-like knob 31 is combined with the two screw holes of the second assembly 27B As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the bracket 30 comprises the rectangular tray 37 and a L-shaped rotating pillar 35. One end of the rotating pillar 35 is connected to the tray 37, and the other end thereof is a C-shaped clamping ring 351 fastened by the fixing screw 33. The inner diameter of the clamping ring is substantially identical to the outer diameter of the thinner end of the knob 31. Further, one side of the clamping ring is provided with an opening for tightening or loosening the fixing screw 33. When the fixing screw 33 is loosened, the clamping ring 351 is opened, such that the knob 31 can penetrate the opened clamping ring 351 and locked by the fixing screw 33. In this way, the knob 31 can be connected to the bracket 30 and the elongate rod 20, respectively.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 again, each connector 23 is formed with two substantially wheel-like casings engaging with each other. For example, the first connector 23A has a first wheel 231 and a second wheel 233 rotatably engaging with each other. The edge of the engaging surface of each wheel is provided with serrations. A lever 21 penetrates into the wheels 231, 233 and locks them, such that those wheels can be fastened to become the first connector 23A. In use, the user can loosen the lever 21 to adjust the relative position between the wheels 231 and 233. After the adjustment, the user can lock the lever 21, such that the wheels can achieve a new engaging position. With such arrangement, the fast adjustment in the relative angle between the wheels and the accurate positioning via engaging serrations can be easily achieved.

It should be noted that the joints of the elongated rod 20 of the present invention are formed by the engaging serrations, which has larger strength than that in the joints of conventional art formed by the frictional locking. Further, it is much easy to control the loosening or tightening of the lever 21. Although the joints of the elongated rod 20 may be fixed by the screws, it will be more difficult to adjust in the future if the screws are over-tightened to enhance the strength of each joint. On the contrary, the lever 21 of the present invention is easy to adjust, and the strength of the engaging structure is excellent. Therefore, the present invention is indeed an improved structure easy to operate and practical.

As shown in FIG. 5, a screw shaft is extended from side face of the first wheel 231 for screwing into the corresponding threads provided inside the first connecting rod 25A, such that the first connector 23A and the first connecting rod 25A can be connected. Similarly, the other end of the first connecting rod 25A is connected to the second connector 23B by the same means. In this way, the connecting rods and the connectors can be connected one by one to form a bendable elongated rod 20.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are assembled perspective views of the present invention. With reference to FIG. 5 again, since the base 10 is formed as a bent plate having at least three screw holes 11 thereon, the user can arbitrarily choose two screw holes to correspond to the through holes of the first assembly 27A, such that the base 10 and the first assembly 27A can be combined together by two screws. As a result, the position at which the elongated rod 20 is mounted on the base 10 can be suitably adjusted according to the space and ornaments in the car. Finally, in order to arrange and fix a compact electronic instrument (such as a PDA), the center of a platen 40 is preferably provided with an accommodating recess having a Velcro, and the bottom of the compact portable instrument (not shown) is provided with another corresponding Velcro, such that the portable instrument can be fixed to the accommodating recess by these Velcro. Finally, the user can put desired electronic instruments (not shown, such as laptop or DVD player) on the platen 40.

As shown in FIG. 3, since the conventional base is provided with only two screw holes, the position at which the elongated rod is fixed in the car cannot be adjusted. Therefore, the elongated rod usually interferes with the ornaments in the car, and the user need to change the positions of the ornaments in the car to yield to the shape of the bracket for the electronic elements. On the contrary, since the base 10 of the present invention is provided with at least three screw holes 11, the user can choose two proper screw holes for subsequent fixing according to the construction in the car. Since the screw holes 11 shown in FIG. 7 for combining the base 10 with the elongated rod 20 are not the same as those shown in FIG. 8. The angle and the position of the supporting device can be varied accordingly, such that the present invention can be suitably adjusted according to the space in the car.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing that an electronic instrument is supported by the present invention. In comparison with FIGS. 7 and 9, a rectangular platen 40 is provided on the bracket 30 for placing and fixing an electronic instrument (such as notebook). The bottom of the platen 40 is provided with four screw holes corresponding to the four through holes of the bracket 30, such that the bracket 30 and the platen 40 can be combined together. Further, a set of holding clamps are provide for fixing the electronic instrument placed thereon. As shown in FIG. 7, the holding clamp comprises plural telescopic retaining plates 41 extended from the edge of the platen 40, sliding rails 45, a skid-proof pad 44 and a Velcro 44. With such arrangement, the holding clamps can be adjusted to fit the size of the electronic instrument, thereby to tightly clamp the electronic instrument (e.g. portable computer).

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, each holding clamp comprises a L-shaped retaining plate 41 extended from one of the four corners of the platen 40, a sliding slot 45 and a Velcro 47. The retaining plate 41 can be slid in the sliding slot 45 and locked by a screw. As a result, the following effects can be obtained, in which (1) the optimal size of the holding clamp can be adjusted according to the size of the electronic instrument; and (2) the fixing position of the retaining plate 41can be employed and adjusted to prevent the electronic instrument from sliding thereon. Finally, since the retaining plates can only fix the electronic instrument on the X-Y plane, it is necessary to provide another set of Velcro 47A and 47B to fix the electronic instrument (e.g., notebook) on the Z-axis. Since the retaining plate and the Velcro 47A, 47B are used to fix the notebook in the X, Y and Z-axis directions, it is more efficient to fasten the electronic instrument without horizontal displacement and vertical shake, especially in a running car.

FIG. 10 is a view showing the state of the elongated rod of the present invention when being used in the car. The base 10 is positioned to the sliding rail under the seat 51 by a screw. Since each connector 23 of the elongated rod 20 can rotate along the engaging surface of the wheel and be suitably positioned by the serrations. Therefore, the bending shape of the elongated rod 20 can be adjusted according to the desire of the user, producing various postures 24 and 26 of the elongated rod. Therefore, the position or level of the electronic instrument (e.g. laptop) placed on the bracket 30 in the car can be adjusted according to the user's desire. Further, the connectors 23 can be adjusted to bend the connecting rods, producing a folded state 22 as shown by the dotted line. In this case, two elongated rod 25A, 25B are made to become substantially parallel two rods by the second connector 23B. Moreover, the first connecting rod 25A is bent to the position closest to the bottom 50 of the in-car space, such that the elongated rod 20 can become folded and abut against the bottom 50 of the in-car space.

FIG. 11 is a view showing the action of bracket of the present invention in a vertical plane. As shown in FIG. 11, the plane containing the page is the X-Y plane. The X-axis is perpendicular to the plane containing the page, and is defined as a normal direction. In order to adjust the electronic instrument (not shown) on the Y-Z plane, the bracket 30 and the elongated rod 20 are connected via the third connector 23C. Since the third connector 23C rotates along the engaging surface of the wheel, the bracket 30 can thus rotate on the Y-Z plane by using the third connector 23C as the center of rotation. Therefore, the user can adjust the third connector 23C to rotate the electronic instrument on the Y-Z plane according to the ornaments in the car or his optimal use.

FIG. 12 is a partial enlarged view of the bracket of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a view showing the action of the fixing screw for the bracket. With reference to FIG. 5 again, one side of the clamping ring 351 provided on the bottom of the L-shaped rotating pillar 35 is provided with a radial screw hole 353 for receiving the fixing screw 33. When the fixing screw 33 is loosened, the clamping ring 351T is opened, and thus the thinner end of the knob 31 can penetrate the clamping ring 351. At this time, the fixing screw 33 is screwed into the rotating pillar 35 to make the clamping ring 351S closed, such that the knob 31 can be fixed to the bracket.

FIG. 14 is a view showing the action of the bracket of the present invention on the horizontal plane. With reference to the figure, the plane containing the page is X-Y plane. The Z-axis is perpendicular to the page and is defined as the normal direction. Since the fixing screw 33 controls the opening and closing of the clamping ring 351, the bracket can rotate in the X-Y plane by using the rotating axis as the center of rotation. As a result, the position of the bracket 30 can be horizontally adjusted according to the user's desire. In addition, the adjustment of the third connector 23C can allow the bracket to move in the Y-Z plane. That is to say, the user can control the angle and position of the portable device on the bracket 30 in the three-dimensional space, thereby to achieve the optimal state for use with the most comfortable view angle.

Therefore, the user can adjust the knob 31 and the third connector 23C to change the angles of the electronic instrument in the horizontal and vertical planes according to the user's position relative to the electronic instrument, such that the bracket 30 can arbitrarily rotate in the three-dimensional space. As a result, the user can choose the most comfortable posture to use the electronic instrument.

Finally, FIGS. 15 and 16 are a perspective view and a side view of another embodiment of the present invention, respectively. With reference to FIG. 4 again, the position of the lever 21 relative to the elongated rod 20 shown in FIG. 4 is different from that shown in FIG. 15, this is because the driver's seat may be on left side or right side in different countries and thus the position of the lever should be conform to the habit of the driver. In view of this, when in the countries that people drive along the right side of the road, the driver's seat is on the left side and thus the lever 21 is preferably provided on the right side, as shown in FIG. 4. On the contrary, when in the countries that people drive along the left side of the road, the lever 21 is preferably provided on the left side of the elongated rod, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details thereof. Various equivalent variations and modifications can still be occurred to those skilled in this art in view of the teachings of the present invention. Thus, all such variations and equivalent modifications are also embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 

1. A supporting device for automotive portable electronic instruments or notebooks, comprising: a bendable elongated rod formed of a connector and two connecting rods with the connector interposed between the connecting rods, wherein the connector has two substantially wheel-like casings facing and engaging with each other, the edge of the connecting surface of each wheel is provided with waved serrations, a lever penetrates into the two wheels to control the loosening and locking of the wheels, the two connecting rods are tubes extended outwardly from the connector, such that the connecting rods and the connector form a bendable elongated rod; a base formed of a plate for connecting the distal end of the elongated rod and a car body, wherein one end of the base is provided with at least three screw holes, and any two of the screw holes are chose for screwing to the distal end of the elongated rod; and a bracket formed of a plate provided on the front end of the elongated rod for placing the electronic instrument thereon.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the other end of the base is provided with a through hole for fixing the base to a sliding rail under a seat by a screw.
 3. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a second connector provided on the distal end of the elongated rod and connected to the base, wherein the second connector has two substantially wheel-like casings facing and engaging with each other, the edge of the connecting surface of each wheel is provided with waved serrations, a lever penetrates into the two wheels to control the loosening and locking of the wheels.
 4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the distal end of the second connector further comprises an assembly, and both ends of the assembly are connected to the base and the second connector, respectively.
 5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the assembly is a disc-like body having a circular plate and a tube projected centrally, the circular plate is provided with two through holes, and the assembly is screwed to the base by inserting two screws into the through holes.
 6. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a third connector provided on the distal end of the elongated rod and connected to the bracket, wherein the third connector has two substantially wheel-like casings facing and engaging with each other, the edge of the connecting surface of each wheel is provided with waved serrations, a lever penetrates into the two wheels to control the loosening and locking of the wheels.
 7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the distal end of the third connector further comprises a second assembly, and both ends of the second assembly are connected to the third connector and the bracket, respectively.
 8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the second assembly is a disc-like body having a circular plate and a tube projected centrally, the circular plate is provided with two through holes, and the second assembly is screwed to the bracket by inserting two screws into the through holes.
 9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the front end of the elongated rod further comprises a disc-like knob for connecting to the bracket and the elongated rod.
 10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the bracket comprises a plate-like tray and a knob provided on the bottom of the tray.
 11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the tray is substantially a rectangular plate.
 12. The device according to claim 11, wherein one end of the knob is connected to the tray, and the other end is a C-shaped clamping ring.
 13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the inner diameter of the clamping ring is substantially identical to the outer diameter of the thinner end of the knob, and the clamping ring is able to be opened and closed.
 14. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a platen provided on the bracket for placing and fixing the electronic instrument such as a notebook.
 15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the platen is a substantially rectangular plate.
 16. The device according to claim 15, wherein a set of holding clamps are provided on the platen and are able to be adjusted in size according to the size of the electronic instrument.
 17. The device according to claim 16, wherein the holding clamps comprise: at least two adjustable retaining plates, each of which is a plate body radially extended from the platen, the front end thereof has a blocking portion abutting against the periphery of the electronic instrument; and at least two sliding rails, which are grooves provided on the platen, the inner diameter of each sliding rail is substantially identical to the outer diameter of the retaining plate, and the retaining plate is able to slide in the sliding rail and be locked by a knob.
 18. The device according to claim 17, wherein each of the holding clamps further comprises a Velcro detachably and circumferentially provided on the electronic instrument and the platen.
 19. The device according to claim 18, wherein the retaining plate is a L-shaped plate.
 20. The device according to claim 1, wherein the elongated rod is formed of at least three connectors and at least two connecting rods each arranged between adjacent connectors. 